2013 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 (2 Full Rounds), The Pittsburgh Steelers Select…
Round 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jamar Taylor CB (Boise State)
The Jaguars need Cornerback help, and it would not surprise me if they went in that direction on Day 2 of the Draft. Jacksonville registered only 12 Interceptions total during the 2012 season, and could stand to use a play-making Cornerback. Jamar Taylor, who enjoyed a terrific workout at The Combine (4.39 40, 22 Reps Bench,), was a very productive player at Boise State (2012: 51 Tackles, 4 INT’s, 3 FF’s). In addition, Taylor possesses solid size (5’11” 192 lbs.) and speed to make him a fringe 1st Round candidate.
34. San Francisco 49ers: John Jenkins NT (Georgia)
Ricky Jean-Francois and Isaac Sopoaga will be UFA’s this month, and the 49ers could stand to use a future starter at Nose Tackle. Jenkins (6’4″ 346 lbs.) is a space-eating and prototypical 0-Technique who had himself a fine Senior season in Athens (50 Tackles, 2.0 TFL’s, 1.0 Sack, 14 QB Hurries), and should be a terrific gap-clogging player at the professional level. Unfortunately, Jenkins does not provide much in the form of a pass-rush, and might only project to be a 2-Down player. Plus, one must also question if the former Bulldog will be able to keep his massive weight in check.
35. Philadelphia Eagles: Johnthan Banks CB (Mississippi State)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will be a UFA this offseason, while Nnamdi Asomugha might be considered expendable for salary cap purposes. If one or both leave, the Eagles could definitely use the services of a solid Cornerback like Johnthan Banks if he falls to them in Round 2. The 2012 Jim Thorpe Award winner possesses a tall and lanky frame (6’2″ 185 lbs.), and has shown the ability to make plays on the football even as a Zone-scheme guy (16 career Interceptions). Banks can also mix it up in the run-game (125 Tackles the last two seasons), and even has the skill-set to play Free Safety (he started at the position as a Freshman in college). Banks’ 40 time at The Combine though (4.62) could drop him into Round 2 unless he runs faster at his Pro Day.
36. Detroit Lions: Jonathan Cyprien FS/SS (Florida International)
Louis Delmas could be leaving as a UFA this month, and the Lions need some added depth at the Safety position. Jonathan Cyprien’s stock seems to be rising fast, and there is good reason for that as the Florida International Strong Safety shined during Senior Bowl week, and enjoyed a solid 2012 season with the Golden Panthers (93 Tackles, 3.5 TFL’s, and 4 INT’s). Although Cyprien is not as agile as Matt Elam in pass-coverage, he does possess decent size for a Strong Safety (6′ 217 lbs.), and can play with toughness near the line of scrimmage in run support.
37. Cincinnati Bengals: Alex Okafor DE (Texas)
With Michael Johnson and Robert Geathers set to become UFA’s, the Bengals might be wise to add a Defensive End or two this April. If Texas’ Alex Okafor falls this far, I am sure that the Bengals would consider adding him to their already potent pass-rush. Last year, Alex racked up 68 Tackles, 18.0 TFL’s, and 12.5 Sacks over 13 Games, and did so with his talented pass-rushing mate Jackson Jeffcoat sidelined for most of the year with a pectoral injury. Equipped with a nice burst upfield for a bigger guy (6’4″ 264 lbs.), Okafor could make Cincinnati’s Defensive Line even more awesome.
38. Arizona Cardinals: Matt Barkley QB (Southern California)
If the Cardinals elect to fill their Offensive Tackle need first, I I am sure that Matt Barkley (6’2″ 227 lbs.) will be on the franchise’s radar. I believe that Matt Barkley’s stock will rise once he comes back from his shoulder surgery and teams begin to look at more film of him and his successful collegiate career as a whole (246 for 387, 3,273 Yards, 63.6%, 36 TD’s & 15 INT’s was a “down year” in 2012). Although Barkley might not be considered the most mobile of Quarterbacks, he ran a Pro-Style system at Southern Cal, possesses a strong enough arm to make every throw on the field, and does so in an accurate fashion.
39. New York Jets: Mike Glennon QB (North Carolina State)
Color me unimpressed with the situation the Jets currently have at Quarterback. Outside of the “Tebow Nightmare,” New York will be forced to work with the inconsistent Mark Sanchez and Greg McElroy if they do not draft someone this year. New Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg could be intrigued by Mike Glennon of North Carolina State if he falls into the 2nd Round. The tall (6’7″ 225 lbs.) North Carolina State prospect did a fine job during his two years as a starter (4,031 Yards Passing and 31 TD’s in 2012) after he took over for Russell Wilson back in 2011. Although Glennon’s Completion Percentage from last season (58.4%) might be a cause for concern, Glennon’s rifle-arm is sure to drive him up draft boards around the League.
40. Tennessee Titans: Larry Warford OG (Kentucky)
The Titans must bolster the interior of their Offensive Line, and they could decide to fill that need early in Round 2 with Larry Warford of Kentucky. Left Guard Steve Hutchinson will be in his 13th year when the season begins, while Right Guard Leroy Harris will be a UFA this offseason, and both players ended last year on Injured Reserve. Warford, a 6’3″ 332 lb. road-grader, was a three-year starter with the Wildcats and emerged as one of the S.E.C.’s best Interior Linemen in addition to Barrett Jones, Chance Warmack, and Dallas Thomas. If the Titans are serious about upgrading their ground attack (2012: 21st in Total Rushing Yards 1,687), the selection of a run-blocking Guard like Warford would be a great start.
41. Buffalo Bills: Kevin Minter ILB (Louisiana State)
Buffalo could be moving to a 3-4 under the new Coaching Staff. If that happens, the franchise will need to find a replacement for Nick Barnett in the near future. In the event that Kevin Minter falls into Round 2, I am sure that the Bills would be one of many interested parties who would like to acquire him. Minter was a force in the middle for the Tigers over the last two seasons, and registered 130 Tackles, 15.0 TFL’s, and 4.0 Sacks over 13 games in 2012. The squat-framed, yet athletic Minter (6′ 246 lbs.) packs a wallop as a Tackler, although his 40 time in Indianapolis could concern some teams who do not view him as a “3 Down Linebacker.”
42. Miami Dolphins: Jesse Williams DT (Alabama)
Although Miami just placed the “Franchise Tag” on Randy Starks, fellow Defensive Tackle Paul Soliai will reach UFA status in 2014. To hedge their bets in the event that both players are not around during the 2014 season, it would serve the Dolphins well to select one of the numerous talented Defensive Tackle prospects available in this year’s Draft Class. Jesse Williams of Alabama at 6’3″ 323 lbs. (37 Tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, and 1.0 Sack in 2012) could be just the space-eater the Dolphins need as insurance in the present, and a force in the middle as they head into the future if their two starters leave at some point.
43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zach Ertz TE (Stanford)
Dallas Clark will be entering his 11th season in 2013, and Tampa Bay might want to find a replacement for the veteran. After he played second-fiddle to Coby Fleener, Ertz stepped up huge in 2012 as he racked up 69 Catches for 898 Yards and 6 TD’s for the Cardinal. Ertz (6’5″ 249 lbs.) is a versatile prospect who has the potential to line up along the line of scrimmage, in the slot, or even in an H-Back role. Josh Freeman could use a versatile weapon to throw to, and Ertz could be a terrific safety valve for the signal-caller. If Ertz can improve his blocking, he should be a terrific all-around Tight End at the professional level.
44. Carolina Panthers: Johnathan Hankins DT (Ohio State)
Although the Panther’s Defense improved this past year, issues still exist along the interior of their Defensive Line. A wide-bodied gap-clogger, Hankins (6’3″ 320 lbs.) shined during his Junior season with the Buckeyes as he logged 55 Tackles, 4.0 TFL’s, 1.0 Sack, and earned All-Big-10 honors. The former Buckeye’s stock could slip due to issues regarding his weight and his “motor,” but it is unlikely he will fall any lower than the middle of the 2nd Round. Drafting a player like Hankins would be a solid move for Carolina as Ron Edwards has been released, while Sione Fua and Frank Kearse could stand to be pushed for playing time as well.
45. San Diego Chargers: Manti Te’o ILB (Notre Dame)
Manti Te’o’s 4.8 40 time certainly did not help his draft stock rise. Plus, the issues about his speed and his “fake girlfriend” could linger until Draft Weekend and inevitably drive him into Round 2. San Diego could stand to use a replacement for Takeo Spikes, and would probably jump at the chance to add Te’o if a Pass-Rushing Linebacker or Offensive Lineman is not available. To his credit, Manti (6’1″ 241 lbs.) did log over 100 Tackles in each of his final three years in South Bend, and improved his skills in pass coverage last year to boot. Where Te’o will inevitably go will be a mystery, but I am sure that the Chargers would be interested in adding him to their roster in the middle of Round 2.
46. St. Louis Rams: D.J. Swearinger FS/SS (South Carolina)
An experienced player, Swearinger started two-and-a-half years (33 Starts) at South Carolina over his career. During that time, Swearinger (5’10” 208 lbs.) emerged as one of college football’s most feared and dangerous hitters (here and here). A tough, in-the-box Defender, D.J. can hold his own in run-support and racked up 80 Tackles during his Junior year, and 79 last season. The former Gamecock also had a knack for forcing Turnovers and creating big-plays as he registered 6 INT’s, 4 Forced Fumbles, 2 Fumble Recoveries, and scored 2 Defensive TD’s over his career. The Rams need depth at Safety and a replacement for Craig Dahl so do not be surprised if they go the Safety-route on Day 1 or Day 2.
47. Dallas Cowboys: Bennie Logan DT (Louisiana State)
Dallas could definitely use some help at the Defensive Tackle position as the offseason progresses. Not only is soon to be 32 year-old Jay Ratliff facing a D.U.I. charge he picked up last year, but his backup Josh Brent could be headed to prison for an extended period after he killed his teammate Jerry Brown in a D.U.I. Manslaughter accident back in December. As the Cowboys transition to a 4-3 scheme on Defense, they are definitely in need of depth as they try to solve their Defensive Tackle issues. Bennie Logan (6’2″ 309 lbs.) might still be around for Dallas to take in Round 2, and Dallas should jump at the chance to take the play-making two-year starter (2011-2012: 12.0 TFL’s and 5.0 Sacks combined).